Do you wish to add extra storage to your Asus ROG Ally or Ally X rapidly, affordably, and simply? Get a microSD card, slide it in, and get again to gaming. However the place’s the enjoyable in that? If you’d like sooner storage that doesn’t price far more than a high-capacity microSD card, we advise upgrading its M.2 SSD.
Now, taking aside your costly piece of {hardware} may be intimidating, however with our step-by-step tutorial, which incorporates the mandatory instruments and elements, we’ll get you and your ROG Ally to the end line very quickly. And, in case you haven’t already custom-made your ROG Ally, we’ve acquired numerous must-have ROG Ally equipment we expect you’ll like.
A lot of the instruments you’ll want for this venture, like spudgers and a #0 Phillips-head screwdriver, are straightforward sufficient to get piecemeal on-line or at your native ironmongery store. However if you would like a tidier answer that incorporates all the things you want in a single place for dismantling the ROG Ally (and nearly some other client gadget in your house), you would possibly wish to think about the Important Electronics Toolkit from iFixit. For the needs of this tutorial, I’m counting on my trusty Professional Tech Toolkit, which prices extra because it incorporates further items.
As to your substitute SSD, you’ve acquired loads of choices. However which one it’s best to get will depend on how a lot storage you’ll want, and which ROG Ally you may have. Should you’re working with the unique white ROG Ally, which incorporates a 512 GB SSD by default, we advise doubling the inner storage with a 1 TB SSD, or quadrupling it to 2 TB should you can afford it. One spec that’s essential to know is that the usual ROG Ally can solely accommodate the 2230 dimension of M.2 SSDs.
Should you personal the newer black ROG Ally X, which is provided with a 1 TB SSD out of the field, you’ll most likely need one thing with 2 TB of storage. Nonetheless, as a result of this handheld is barely suitable with the bigger 2280 dimension of M.2 SSDs, there’s a wider vary of choices at a number of value factors. Be aware: Some Ally X house owners on Reddit report that there’s satisfactory inside house for an M.2 SSD that has a built-in heatsink, although some house owners be aware that not utilizing one doesn’t appear to affect efficiency.
Earlier than we proceed on with set up directions, we’ve pulled collectively a handful of suitable fashions for the ROG Ally you’ll be able to select from, adopted by suggestions for the Ally X.
2230-size SSDs for the ROG Ally
2280-size SSDs for the ROG Ally X
Start the disassembly — rigorously
A basic rule earlier than opening any machine is to first energy it down. Not simply that: Draining the battery is rarely a foul concept throughout this course of. Asus recommends discharging the battery to round 25% earlier than working on the ROG Ally, as a charged battery is a possible hearth hazard if one thing goes improper.
Subsequent, take away your microSD card from the slot. Doing so will reduce the prospect of by chance breaking it (I say this as a result of, sadly, it has occurred to me).
Lay the console face down on a desk, or use any degree floor that’s freed from particles, ideally one just like the anti-static silicone pad I’m utilizing within the pictures.
To entry the internals of the ROG Ally, you’ll want to make use of a Phillips #0 screwdriver to take away 5 screws. Be aware {that a} sixth screw within the backside middle of the hand held is designed to be loosened, however not eliminated, so don’t persist.
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As soon as the screws are eliminated (once more, save for the underside center one), slide a delicate flat edge (like a guitar decide, prying instrument, or plastic card) gently between the plastic housing to loosen the clips across the fringe of the again cowl. You’ll know you’ve performed this appropriately if you hear them click on and the again cowl begins to separate from the chassis. Fastidiously carry the again cowl away and place it someplace secure.
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Earlier than doing anything, that you must disconnect the battery. The directions are the identical for each the ROG Ally and ROG Ally X, regardless that internally they appear a bit completely different. To do that, merely use the flat fringe of a plastic instrument to rigorously push the metallic locking bar away from the connector that’s holding the ribbon cable in place. It’s vital that you don’t try and carry the bar, as this will harm it and stop it from locking again in place.
As soon as the locking bar has been pushed again, use a flat instrument beneath the connector and gently carry the cable away from the socket. This shouldn’t take a lot effort. When you’ve disconnected the cable from the motherboard, you not want to fret concerning the battery.
Take away the plastic cowl shielding the SSD
When you’re offered with the internals of the ROG Ally, you’ll see a sheet of plastic overlaying the SSD. That is hooked up with a small little bit of adhesive, letting you simply pull it off. You would possibly wish to dangle on to it as an alternative of instantly throwing it within the trash, like I did. Within the ROG Ally X, the SSD itself is roofed with a thermal cowl that you simply undoubtedly shouldn’t throw away.
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It’s time for the primary occasion. Beneath the black sheet of plastic, the unique SSD that got here along with your machine can be seen subsequent to the fan on the left facet of the Ally (within the ROG Ally X, the oblong 2280-size SSD is situated in the midst of the machine, oriented horizontally beneath the battery cable and a detachable thermal overlaying). Utilizing a Phillips #0 screwdriver, take away the one screw that secures the SSD within the M.2 socket. The SSD ought to carry up a bit, and you’ll then gently pull the SSD out of its socket. Don’t try and carry the SSD up as you take away it, as this has the potential to break your handheld and/or your SSD.
Put aside the outdated SSD, which you’ll be able to reformat to make use of as you please.
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At this level, you’ll be able to seat your shiny new SSD within the now-vacant socket. Match the SSD’s pins with the socket, after which gently insert it with out a lot strain. You’ll know that you simply’ve performed it appropriately as soon as the small indentation on the SSD’s backside traces up with the outlet for the screw you eliminated earlier. Screw it again in. You’re practically completed!
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Placing your ROG Ally again collectively means doing all the things you simply did to disassemble it, however in reverse.
To reconnect the battery, take the connector of the ribbon cable and reseat it within the socket. You need to use your fingers or a delicate instrument to softly push it down into the socket till you hear a small click on. Afterwards, use your flat edge to push the locking bar again into place over the connector.
Should you held on to that small plastic sheet you eliminated earlier, you’ll be able to stick it again into place. Nonetheless, should you have been like me and unexpectedly discarded it, don’t fear; it received’t hamper the efficiency of your Ally.
Lastly, you’ll be able to reattach the again cowl. Merely press the duvet again into its authentic place till you hear the clips begin snapping into place. If the again cowl remains to be a bit of unfastened, that’s OK. When you tighten all the screws you eliminated earlier, it is going to be secured into its authentic place.
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The ultimate step to getting your Ally game-ready is to revive the Home windows working system. To do that, plug the Ally again in and energy it on. It ought to boot into the BIOS menu routinely. If it doesn’t, strive powering on the system whereas holding down the ability and volume-down buttons concurrently.
When you’re within the BIOS menu, use the touchscreen to navigate to the Superior tab and choose Asus Cloud Restoration. From there, it’s best to be capable of comply with the prompts to obtain and reinstall the OS. When you’ll have to redownload and reinstall any video games you had saved on the unique SSD, you’re in any other case good to go. Good luck, and have enjoyable.
